embassy in benghazi sparked a washington firestorm making her confirmation questionable. >> i withdraw my name because i think it's the right thing for the country and i think it's the right thing for the president and putting those things together that makes it the right thing for me and my family. >> there's a lot of speculation that senator john kerry may be a possible successor to outgoing secretary of state hillary clinton. rice says it's her intention to remain the ambassador to the united nations. >>> the "fiscal cliff" is just 18 days away. and neither side appears willing to give much ground. cbs reporter tara mergener has the latest from capitol hill. >> reporter: house speaker john boehner left the capital thursday evening for a face-to- face "fiscal cliff" talk with the president. earlier in the day president obama told cbs' minneapolis station wcco he is hopeful they will make a deal. >> the big problem right now is that republicans in the house are resistant to the idea of the wealthiest americans paying higher taxes. >> reporter: boehner's second trip to the white house